Baling-press.



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BAL|NG.PBESS.

, (Application filed Apr. 1'7, 1899.) N o M 0 d 0 l 5 Sheets-Sheet 2,

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BALING PRESS.

[Application fxled Apr. 17. 1899.)

No. 647,490. Patented Apr. I7, |900.

(No Model.)

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BALING PRESS.

(Application led Apr. 17, 1899.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

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retiren Stearns llerena Ormea MARK A. HEATH, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODEISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO TIIE AMERICAN COTTON-BALE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

BALINGHPRESS..

. SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 647,490, dated April17, 1900.

Application filed April 17, 1899. Serial No. 713,278. (No model.)

To LZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARK A. HEATH, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, and a resident of Providence, in the county of Providence andState of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Ealing-Presses, of which the following is a specication.

My invention relates to certain improvements in baling-presscs and inthe method of compressing cotton, rbc., into bales; and it consists inthe novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully setforth and claimed, the class of pressing or baling machines to which theinvention more particularly relates being that employed for pressingcotton or other analogous fibrous material into bales.

Baling presses or compresses as usually devised are as a rule verylarge, heavy, and expensive machines. In pressing cotton or similarbrous matter it is very desirable that practically all the air be forcedor squeezed out, thereby rendering the bale more compact and giving itgreater specific gravity or weight. I believe it is due to the presenceof confined air in the bale that renders .the usual pressing process socomparatively slow and expensive-that is to say, While the cotton may becompressed within certain limits with a comparatively small initialpower or pressure and with corresponding rapidity it will be found thatto compress the material, say, some ten per cent. further or to theusual maximum degree a very much greater pressure will be required tocomplete the operation, such increased pressure being largely,

if not wholly, expended in expelling the confined air from the bale orpackage, and more especially so when the cotton is being compressed intoa casing or covering having closed or imperforate sides.

The primary obj ect I have in view is to produce a balingpress having acapacity equal to or exceeding that of analogous presses as heretoforeproduced, my improved press being at the same time both smaller andlighter and correspondingly less expensive.

Another object of the invention is to provide the press with a press-boxhaving perforated sides and ends, thus permitting the air to escapefreely under a comparatively small pressure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanicallymovable basefor the press-box, the same being located directly above and registeringwith the bale covering or casing mounted below it, the upper end of thecasing being open, so as to receive the compressed cotton when the baseof the pressbox is retracted.

Still another object of the invention is to -provide the press with anadjustable automatic weighing device, whereby the weight of the balesmay be made uniform before rem oval from the press.

In the accompanying five sheets of drawings, Figure lis a side elevationof the press complete, the parts being in the normal positionpreparatory to feeding the cotton into the press-box and forming thebale. FiO. 2 is a corresponding vertical central sectional view, inenlarged scale, some of the parts being omitted, the cotton being fedinto the .Y

press-box. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the press-box partly filledwith a charge of cotton and being compressed by the plunger. Fig. et isa similar view, the press-box being full of compressed cotton andshowing the base retracted preparatory to discharging the compressedcotton into the open casing beneath. Fig. 5 is the saine, showing thecotton forced into the casing. Fig. (i is a transverse section takenthrough bottom of press-box, Src., on line oo a: of Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is aplan view of the weighing device. Fig. Sis ahori- Zontal section, inenlarged scale, taken on line o o of Fig. l. Fig. 9 is a verticalsection, enlarged, taken on line e .e of Fig. l. Fig. lO is a verticalcentral section of the press-box, showing a modified construction. Fig.ll is a horizontal section taken on line y y of Fig. lO, and Fig. l2 isa perspective view of the complete bale removed from the press and readyfor shipment.

In my improved baling-press are embodied the following parts orinstrumentalities: a`

perforated press-box A, an endwise-movable apertured base B for saidbox, means for effecting such movement of the base, means for feedingthe cotton into the press-box, a vertically-movable apertured plunger Cand IOO Y the same as the sides of the press-box.

mechanism for operating the same for conipressing the cotton in thepress-box and forcing it therefrom into the casing beneath, a separablemetallic casing D, forming a practically-impervious covering for the cotton and a weighing device supporting a movable platform. E, on which thecasing and bale rest.

ln the drawings the construction and arrangement of the several partsconstitute an upright or vertical baling-press. As thus arranged themachine requires less area or floor-space, the frame can be madesomewhat lighter, and the moving parts are readily accessible and infull view of the operator.

The frame proper as drawn consists of a series of four strong ironcolumns F, adapted to be firmly secured to the foundation. The press-boxA. is supported by the columns and maintained in position thereon bymeans of suitable fastening devices. The distance from the floor in tothe lower end of the pressbox exceeds the length of the bale, thuspermitting the casing D to be readily placed in position and removedfrom the press at will. The upper portion of the frame carries theplunger-operating mechanism, all as clearly indicated in Fig. l.

The press-box A is provided with thickwalled sides, having numerousholes or perforations a therethrough commu nicating with thepressing-chamber a, the latter practically forming the mold orcounterpart of the coinpressed bale. The holes a may be conicalthat is,the greatest diameter being at the outer surface ot the Walls. This isdone so that the air expelled from the cotton during the pressingoperation will escape more readily, while at the same time the holes areless liable to become filled or clogged with lint, (be. The lower end otthe press-box is provided with side grooves a2, in which the base l isslidably mounted. The member B is also perforated and is furtherprovided with a toothed rack Z). rlhe latter is formed on the lower sideand extends beyond the frame, so as to mesh into the small gearwheel b,secured to a shaft b2, mounted to revolve in suitable bearings. Forconvenience of operation the shaft may be provided at each end with ahand-wheelb. The base l closes the end of the press-box while the cottonis being compressed, (see Figs. 2 and 55,) but is retracted in order topermit the compressed cotton to pass from the box into the metallicbale-covering. (See Figs. ft and 5.)

The plunger or piston C is adapted to move vertically in thepressing-chamber d and is attached to and actuated by the strongserew d,the screw being arranged to turn in the end of the piston in anywell-known manner. The piston is hollow, the several sides or wallsthereof being perforated substantially The piston is provided withvertical corner connections c, which coacting with the verticalstationary grooved casting c', secured to the columns F, form guides forthe piston,

whereby the latter is maintained in alinement throughout its travel upand down in the pressing-chamber.

The screw-operating mechanism maybe described as follows: To the upperend of the columns F is rigidly secured heavy headcasting e, which isbored ont centrally to receive the long stationary nut f. The latterextends upwardly through the casting e and in connection with a fixedcollar f forms a support for the large bevel-gear g. rlhis gear is boredto freely receive the screw d and is provided with a spline or heyway inwhich is fitted a key 7c, the latter also fitting a corresponding splined', formed in the screw. in order to keep 'the gear in positionvertically, a split yoke 7L may be employed, the same being bolted tothe said casting e, all as clearly shown in Figs. l and i). In Fig. l lhave represented means for rotating the said gear g. As drawn, the sameconsists of a suitably-supported driving-shaft t, carrying a smallbevel-gear g', meshing into the gear g. Upon the shaft t' are mountedthe three pulleys p p' ju?, p and p beingloose upon the shaft andpiliast to it. New, assuming that the pulley p be driven from anysuitable source by a crossed bolt and the pulley p by an open belt, itis apparent that upon shitting the crossed belt onto pulley p? the screwwill be revolved in one direction and will be turned in the oppositedirection when the open belt is shifted. onto the pulley, as common tolathes and other machines adapted to be rotated in both directions.

At the base ofthe press is located a central movable platform it,adapted to receive and support the metallic bale-casing while it isbeing filled with cotton or other compressed substance or materialdelivered from the press-box. Mounted below and in contact with theunder side of the platform is a suitably-'fulcrumed weighing-arm orscale-beam n, the longer arm ot' the beam carrying two sliding weightsa' n2, the former, n, being set so as to form a counterpoise for theplatform and the empty casing, while the other, n2, is employed tobalance the net weight of the cotton filling the casing. By means ofthis arrangement the attendant can .readily determine whether the amountot cotton in the casing exceeds the predetermined or .fixed weight ornot. lf it is found deficient in weight, he simply adds enough cotton tothe bale until the latter .forms an oquipoise with the weight n?.Conversely, if it is found to exceed the desired weight, he removes thesurplus cotton from the bale, the same being quickly effected while thebale is still standing in the press. Obviously the position ol.'

the weight members on the beam may be changed or different onessubstituted as desired.

Referring to Fig. l, it will be seen that a clear space .5' is formedbetween the under side of the elevated piston C and the top end of thepress-box. lt is at this point that the IOO IIO

senseo cotton is fed orintroduced into the pressingchamber. The cottonpasses down an inclined trough t, or, if desired, a trough may besimilarly arranged and used at each of the four sides of the box. Theloose cotton constituting charges is fed from any suitable source ofsupply to the trough in any wellknown manner, either by hand or bymechanical means, the piston meanwhile remaining stationary.

The manner of baling cotton, che., through the medium of my improvedbaling-press may be described as follows: The several parts of the pressare first assumed to be in the normal position, substantially as shownin Fig. 1, the weight n2 meanwhile being lifted from the beam n, ifdesired. Now the first charge of cotton sufficient to loosely fill thepress-box is fed into the chamber a', (see Fig. 2,) followed by cuttingoff the supply of cotton, after which the belt, say, on pulley p isshipped onto the drivin g-pulley p2, thereby revolving the press-screw dand forcing the piston downwardly and compressing the charge of cottonin the chamber. Fig. 3 shows the-corresponding position of the piston,dic. The piston is then elevated to its normal position by reversing thedirection of rotation of the screw, the same being effected by shippingthe belt onto the loose pulley p', at the same time shipping the otherbelt from pulley p onto the drivin g-pulley p2, the belt being reshippedonto the loose pulley p when the piston arrivesat its highest position.This operation is repeated with other charges until the pressing-chamberis practically filled with compressed cotton. Vfhile the piston is stillresting upon the cotton, the guided base or bottom member B of thepress-box is retracted to its limit through the medium of the handwheel,gear, and rack, thereby uncovering the end of the box. Meanwhile thecounterweighted beam n automatically lifts the platform E and the casingD, resting thereon, until arrested by a suitable stop or by the contactof the end of the casing against the underside of the press-box. FigA`shows the corresponding position of the parts. I may state here that Iprefer to make the cross-sectional area of the pressing-chamber a littlesmaller than that of the Casin g, so that the cotton will slide into thecasin with less frictional resistance. The weight n2 should now be inposition upon the beam. The continued downward action of the piston nextforces the compressed cotton from the chamber into the casing below.Fig. 5 shows the relation of the parts at the completion of theoperation. In fact the piston is returning to its normal position, (seearrow,) and the nearly-filled casing is moving downwardly. (See arrow.)Abottom seator stop for the platform is indicated at m2. The

final operation consists in closing the upper end of the casin g byinserting the sheet-metal end or cap fr therein (see Fig. 12) andsecuring it in place, at the same time closing the lower end of theprcss-box by returning the base B to its normal position. Thethus-completed bale may now be removed from the press and an emptycasing substituted, the piston meanwhile compressing cotton in the boxto form the succeeding bale.

During the compressing operation the air present in the cotton is freelyexpelled from all sides of tue pressing-chamber through the numeroussmall holes a, thereby rendering the condensation of the cotton morerapid and with a less degree of pressure.

If desired, the open-ended bale may be removed from the press and thesheet-metal cap or end r subsequently secured thereto.

Fig. 12 represents a metal-covered bale well adapted to be employed inmy improved baleing-press. Bale-coverings of this type have beenpatented to me by the United States Patent Office, bearing dates ofMarch 10, 1896, and July 26, 1898, and numbered 556,056 and 608,042,respectively.

ln Figs. 10 and 11 l have represented a modified construction of theinterior of the press-box. In this case the inner surfaces of the wallsare both corrugated and perforated and faced or lined with thin fiatperforated sheets of sheet metal, as steel, secured theretoinanywell-known manner. The corresponding surface of the sliding base Bis similarly treated. By this arrangement the wearing surfaces of themold or chamber may be more quickly and cheaply renewed, while alsoproviding a greater percentage of ducts through which the air expelledfrom the cotton may escape. In the drawings, a3 designates the groovesor corrugations, and a4 the perforated sheet-metal lining-plates.

I claim as my invention-- 1. In a baling-press, the press-box, a sliding bottom therefor, and a mechanism for operating the bottom after thebale has been compressed,combined with a platform located a suitabledistance below the -bottom of the baling-chamber, and adapted to receivea casing or envelop into which the bale is forced, and a weighing-rodconnected at its short end to the platform, and which weighing-rod showsthe weight cf the bale, substantially as described.

2. in a baling-press, a suitable framework, an operating-screw, a pistonconnected to the lower end thereof, a mechanism for operating the screw,a perforated press-box, and a perforated plate forming the bottom ofsaid box, the frame being provided with grooves in which said perforatedplate moves, and a mechanism for moving the plate outward after the balehas been compressed, combined with a vertically-moving platform locateda suitable distance below the perforated plate and upon which the casingor envelop is placed, and the pivoted counterweighted beam which has theplatform loosely connected to its inner end, substantially as shown anddescribed.

3. The combination in the improved balingpress, hereinbefore described,of the follow- IOC IZO

ing instrumenraltles, viz., a stationary Venltlaaed presaoox capable ofcontaining the lfull amount ol cotton or other material to be formedinto a bale, a Ineollanoally-aotuated Ventilated plunger or piston forcompressing the Cotton in the presa-box, a sldalole venilated bane-plateor member closing the lower end of said box during the compressing openation, and a movable platform arranged to 1o support the sl1eet-1netalcasing, or envelop,

into which the oolon is forced while the oom pressed cotton is boing;discharged directly from the pressing-Chamber Vinto the Casing.

Signed oy me ab Providence, Rhode lslandy tha llbh day of April, A. D.1890.

lVitnesses:

GEO. ll. REMINGTON, M. MANN.

